Parts and Products Post new products, talk about parts other than electrical, drivetrain and suspension.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

What is the best radar detector?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #1  
CivicEnvy2001's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Florida
Rep Power: 0
CivicEnvy2001 is an unknown quantity at this point
What is the best radar detector?

I'm looking at buying at radar detector. What is the most accurate one to buy? I want one that has the 360* tracking.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #2  
injencivic's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,196
Likes: 1
From: East Tennessee-Knoxville
Rep Power: 373
injencivic is a glorious beacon of lightinjencivic is a glorious beacon of lightinjencivic is a glorious beacon of lightinjencivic is a glorious beacon of lightinjencivic is a glorious beacon of light
the one where you dont speed. haha jk, to be honest with you most of them dont really work that well. Sorry but i dont own one cause i can get out of tickets since i work for the police here hehe, thats a luxury of the job!!

Injen
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #3  
hankscorpio's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: LI, NY / Troy, NY
Rep Power: 0
hankscorpio is an unknown quantity at this point
theres been a lot of posts on this, like this one

go to www.radartest.com

Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #4  
jiggerachi's Avatar
Zoom zoom
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 0
From: dallas, Texas, US
Rep Power: 319
jiggerachi will become famous soon enough
Originally posted by injencivic
the one where you dont speed. haha jk, to be honest with you most of them dont really work that well.
Injen
Haha yea I got a ticket 2 weeks ago & I have a cobra (I dunno the model #) that my friend gave me & the officer was making fun of it it was pretty funny, till he wrote me the ticket of course. But for real most of them either suck or dont work half the time unless you pay like 500+ for one & even then all it does is tell you that you have just been shot with the laser & are about to be pulled over. Thats why I just stoped speeding, the only reason I have one is it comes in handy from time to time but you cant ever rely on them, unless you get a jammer
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #5  
S2000man01's Avatar
O RLY
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,031
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Rep Power: 400
S2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to beholdS2000man01 is a splendid one to behold
radar is basically useless and you'll get caught if you use it to speed. period.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #6  
BlueFlame's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, Montana, US
Rep Power: 0
BlueFlame is an unknown quantity at this point
Best I've heard is the Valentine one, and if I get one that's the one I'll get and .. holy sh¡t the Canucks just scored. Ahem, sorry. Big fan. Anyways yeah it's a $400 detector but it's supposed to be one of the best on the market. Check it out if u want ..

www.valentineone.com
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #7  
Hefe's Avatar
Second Place is the First Loser
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas, US
Rep Power: 343
Hefe is a jewel in the roughHefe is a jewel in the roughHefe is a jewel in the rough
Valentine1 is NOT the best one...

Read this from radartest.com

they teasted 4 radars:
Bel 980
Escort Passport 8500
K40
Valentine1

End results with score:
Escort 8500 - 97
Bel 980 - 94
Valentine1 - 77
K40 - 39

Last edited by Hefe; Apr 22, 2003 at 11:04 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #8  
slystad810's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 1
From: Metro Detroit
Rep Power: 0
slystad810 is an unknown quantity at this point
Valentine 1 IMO is outdated and bulky.

Go with the Passport 8500.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #9  
stl01civic's Avatar
BOOSTED DOHC i-VTEC
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 0
From: STL
Rep Power: 0
stl01civic is an unknown quantity at this point
i think you should not get one. i brought a brand new one for almost $300 something and I still got caught. My friend also got caught with his detector. I really think it is just waste of money.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #10  
askibum02's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: I hate this place.....
Rep Power: 0
askibum02 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally posted by Hefe
Valentine1 is NOT the best one...

Read this from radartest.com

they teasted 4 radars:
Bel 980
Escort Passport 8500
K40
Valentine1

End results with score:
Escort 8500 - 97
Bel 980 - 94
Valentine1 - 77
K40 - 39
If you read between the lines, this website is underwritten by the companies that supposedly scored better than the V1. The V1 always detects radar before any other one will. As far as the V1 being old and outdated.lease: Car and Driver did a test in Feb 02 where the V1 absolute killed any other competition. I trust C/D a lot more than radartest.com.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #11  
krazyjon's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, Ny
Rep Power: 0
krazyjon is an unknown quantity at this point
v1 hands down is the best radar out there
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2003
  #12  
genx_7's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Rep Power: 0
genx_7 is an unknown quantity at this point
passport is the best and radar detectors work. If you are not the only car on the road guarantee it'll work. Just be smart!
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2003
  #13  
jiggerachi's Avatar
Zoom zoom
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 0
From: dallas, Texas, US
Rep Power: 319
jiggerachi will become famous soon enough
Yes radar detectors work but radars work better. By the time your detector goes off the cop will have already known your speed & will be turning on his lights. 400 for a redar dector is just a waste of money IMO, id rather just obey the law. True some speed limits are rediculous but for the most part they are there for a reason. I used to drive 90 everywhere I went but after a few too many close calls due to bad visibility & no time to react I realized that the speed limits & cops are there for a reason (although I do believe some cops are just paying the bills)
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2003
  #14  
askibum02's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: I hate this place.....
Rep Power: 0
askibum02 is an unknown quantity at this point
I agree with you there. I haven't owned a radar detector for 7 years and my only ticket is in VA where they are illeagal anyway. If you look at the facts V1 is the best though.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2003
  #15  
Krepoort's Avatar
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 0
From: Boston, Massachusetts, US
Rep Power: 0
Krepoort is an unknown quantity at this point
I have a V1. Has saved me about 5 times now. They do work if you know how to use them. One time I can remember clearly was a cop was at the top of a hill. Parked in such a way where there was no way to see him until you were right next to him. V1 went off at the bottom of the hill when I was going a little over 80. Slowed down to 65 (the speed limit) just as I passed him. Another time they were being tricky and using the instant-on method. Caught on to him about a mile before I actually saw him.

-Kre
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2003
  #16  
solar's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 0
From: St. Pete Beach, FL, Florida, US
Rep Power: 0
solar is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally posted by jiggerachi
Yes radar detectors work but radars work better. By the time your detector goes off the cop will have already known your speed & will be turning on his lights. 400 for a redar dector is just a waste of money IMO, id rather just obey the law. True some speed limits are rediculous but for the most part they are there for a reason. I used to drive 90 everywhere I went but after a few too many close calls due to bad visibility & no time to react I realized that the speed limits & cops are there for a reason (although I do believe some cops are just paying the bills)
I think you're thinking of "LASER" not "RADAR" you can detect radar well in advance of a police officer. I've detected many speed traps well in advance of a officers site line, wether it be detecting radar going up a hill and the officer is on the other side, or a blind corner with him sitting behind a sign.

Now if a LASER gun sets off your detector its too late, but laser has to be pointed derectly at your car so hiding behind a tree or sign is tougher for a officer to hide. Plus Laser isn't used as much as you would think.

My 8500 has more than paid for itself, but you have to know how to use it and you also have to still keep your speed within a realistic speed. If you're going 100mph in a 55 a cop doesn't need a radar to see that your speeding. But if your going say 85 in a 70 on the interstate you have time to react and slow down without nose diving your front end by slamming the brakes.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2003
  #17  
jiggerachi's Avatar
Zoom zoom
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 0
From: dallas, Texas, US
Rep Power: 319
jiggerachi will become famous soon enough
Yea I agree with you, you just have to know how to use them. Thats why I havent thrown mine away yet cuz it comes in handy occasionally, but you cant rely on them for everyday use at all or you will get caught. Alot of cops around here dont even use radar. I just dont speed anymore, its not worth it IMO, unless your late When I got my ticket 2 weeks ago, the officer turned his radar on to see how long it would take to detect it & it took like over 3 seconds to go off & he was right behind me, thats when he started to make fun of me Some are probably better than mine but none of them truly work as good as everyone would like to believe. Now jammers on the other hand
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2003
  #18  
Dr5D's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,239
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines, Iowa, US
Rep Power: 0
Dr5D is an unknown quantity at this point
there is one dector that my uncle has that jams it the first time for like 7sec and tells you, then if they scan you again it will not jam them. he swears it IS LEGAL. he gave me a phone number... ill have to look for it....
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2003
  #19  
kjgracing's Avatar
Hail to the king baby
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Rep Power: 315
kjgracing will become famous soon enoughkjgracing will become famous soon enough
http://www.jamradar.com/
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2003
  #20  
bucu4u's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
bucu4u is an unknown quantity at this point
i don't think the radar jammers work. The best radar i have used is the valentine 1. Now the cops are getting smart because by the time the radar detects the radar the cop is already locked into you which is too late!
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2003
  #21  
krazyjon's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, Ny
Rep Power: 0
krazyjon is an unknown quantity at this point
v1 > 8500

just for the directional of the source. behind in front of. it pays for itself 100000x over
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2003
  #22  
Brahma9's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Rep Power: 0
Brahma9 is an unknown quantity at this point
2 yrs ago i bought a escort passport 8500, it works very well, it has saved me many of times, but you also have to know how to use it, meaning if your climbing a hill you might get nabbed if you get to the top cause the radar isnt gonna pick up far signals due to the hill being in the path. just simple common sense, but the escort could pick up an X signal about 6.5 miles away in a flat area, but for any radar detector your kinda screwed once it comes to laser, but imo passport 8500 well worth it, i broke my speedometer to and have been driving without it fixed for about 2 yrs too, and no tickets here;P
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2003
  #23  
cwick187's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Ga.
Rep Power: 0
cwick187 is an unknown quantity at this point
Radar jammers are trash from what I have heard from all the independent radar testers. The only one that has been proven to work is the one escort has come out with and it only jams laser. It is legal to jam laser, but is illegal to jam all other radar.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2003
  #24  
injencivic's Avatar
Registered!!
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,196
Likes: 1
From: East Tennessee-Knoxville
Rep Power: 373
injencivic is a glorious beacon of lightinjencivic is a glorious beacon of lightinjencivic is a glorious beacon of lightinjencivic is a glorious beacon of lightinjencivic is a glorious beacon of light
Originally posted by cwick187
It is legal to jam laser, but is illegal to jam all other radar.
Not true, in some states all types of radar jammers are illegal, in the state of tenn it is.

Injen
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2003
  #25  
cwick187's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Ga.
Rep Power: 0
cwick187 is an unknown quantity at this point
Originally posted by injencivic
Not true, in some states all types of radar jammers are illegal, in the state of tenn it is.

Injen

Oh yeah, I meant to say it was legal to jam laser in Ga. Sorry
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2003
  #26  
Validus's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Monmouth County, NJ
Rep Power: 0
Validus is an unknown quantity at this point
People think they are invinsible with a radar detector, which is why they get caught which is why they tell their friends "detectors suck" . I know someone who bought 4 different models and always got caught. The fact of the matter is a detector is a tool. Sometimes there are spots where the cop is in perfect position. When cars in front of you hit their brakes, hit yours, their might be a cop. I have a beltronics 180 or something, it cost me 130 bucks. It has saved me a bunch of times but hey, I did get pulled over once. Why? I rounded a blind curve with dense foliage between the two lanes. The cop was coming in the other direction and it just so happened tjhat a building blocked his radar till he came past it, and boom, i was caught. It happens.

Bottom line- radar detectors work, work well, but are only a tool to be used correctly. Dont be stupid and it will save you a lot of money. And whoever said that they would have you on radar long before your detector picks it up, is just plain wrong.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2003
  #27  
luckynumbernine's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: bristol, rhode island, usa
Rep Power: 0
luckynumbernine is an unknown quantity at this point
hey guys. i am a firm believer in radar detectors, but as many posts in this thread allude to, they should be used as a supplement to common sense. i personally own a bel that i bought from circuit city for around $150. i like bel b/c of the price and i also believe that they manufacture the radar guns that cops use. it has saved my a$$ many times especially where the police drive around with the radar on constantly. it also helps here in ri because the local cops and the staties use radar. the locals always have their radar on, even when driving. laser detectors generally won't work that well because by the time your detector "sees" the laser, the cop has already seen you. X band is always garbage. police radar operates on K and Ka band. i have heard mixed reponses about radar jammers. if your really interested in besting the po po, look into getting the "bear tracker." that piece of equipment supposedly hones on to the frequency used by police radio thereby alerting you whenever a cop is nearby (radar or no radar). once again i reiterate, radar detectors are fantastic supplements. i like to use mine in conjunction with the greatest radar detector on earth >>>>> the brake lights of the cars in front of you. remember, it is human nature to slam on your brakes whenever you see a man of the law lying in wait. drive safely.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
runawaykinms
Engine
15
Mar 22, 2019 10:32 AM
JMKendrick
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
4
Sep 16, 2015 06:17 PM
carid
Electrical, Wiring, and In Car Entertainment
2
Aug 8, 2015 05:05 PM
AirJordan613
General 7th Gen
4
Aug 2, 2015 08:55 PM
RallyEX
General Honda Civic Forum Archive.
40
Aug 24, 2003 06:08 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:18 AM.